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Do you frequently catch colds and other respiratory infections?

If you do, you may be deficient in VITAMIN C and ZINC 

Reviews of the research conducted on the use of Vitamin C over the past 20 years conclude that, in general, large doses of vitamin C have been found to decrease the duration and severity of colds, an effect that may be related to the antihistamine effects found to occur with large doses ( eg 2 grams) of vitamin C.  But large doses of vitamin C do not have a significant effect on the number of colds you catch, except for certain susceptible groups (e.g., individuals with low dietary intake, and athletes) who may be less susceptible to the common cold when taking supplemental vitamin C.  

 One aspect of human physiology which points towards a diet heavily reliant on fruit and vegetables, rather than meat, is our lack of ability to synthesis vitamin C. 

Man, together with one or two mammalian species can not manufacture vitamin C, one of the most important vitamins. This suggests that we existed on a diet of fruit and vegetables, high in vitamin C, and therefore didn’t need the ability to manufacture it. Now, vitamin C is one of the main supplements taken in Western societies.  

Deficiency in Vitamin C has more serious implications. Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bone. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters that are critical to brain function and are known to affect mood. 

Recent research also suggests that vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol to bile acids which may have implications for blood cholesterol levels and the incidence of gallstones.

A large number of studies have shown that increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk for most types of cancer. Such studies are the basis for dietary guidelines endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Cancer Institute, which recommend at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A number of case-control studies have investigated the role of vitamin C in cancer prevention.  Most have shown that higher intakes of vitamin C are associated with decreased incidence of cancers of the mouth, throat and vocal chords, esophagus, stomach, colorectal, and lung.

BUT if you get a cold, don't guzzle orange juice for the vitamin C it contains. A big dose of sugar is what you’d actually be getting, making you even more ill. You'll conclude that you must not have caught the illness in time, which couldn’t have been any further from the truth. The sugar simply fed your infection.  If you want that much vitamin C, take a vitamin pill, washed down with plenty of water. Your body is 70 percent water – and that is exactly what it needs!

Sufficient zinc is also essential in maintaining immune system function.

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